§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many named day written questions were tabled to the Department between 15 October 2002 and 24 February 2003; how many that received a holding answer were given a substantive answer(a) within three days, (b) within seven days, 750W (c)within 14 days, (d) within 28 days and (e) over 28 days later; and what procedures the Department has in place to monitor performance on answering (i) parliamentary questions and (ii) ministerial letters. [99436]
§ Mr. Caborn124 named day questions were tabled to the Department between 15 October 2002 and 24 February 2003. 72 of these questions were answered on the designated day for answer. 52 questions received holding replies and were answered to the following time scales:(a) 25 within two days', (b) 22 within seven days, (c) four within 14 days, and one within 21 days, (d) nil within 28 days and (e) nil over 28 days.
The Department produces regular statistics to monitor the performance on answering parliamentary questions and ministerial letters. These statistics are produced for review and discussion by the permanent secretary and the management board.
In addition, the Cabinet Office, on an annual basis, publishes a report to Parliament on performance of departments in replying to ministerial correspondence. The report for 2001 was published on 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 674W. The report for 2002 will be published in due course.
1Figures for those answered within three days are not readily available.